People of Surrey spread festive cheer to patients in hospital

Charity thanks community for support of annual shoebox appeal

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Schools, businesses, community groups and individuals from across Surrey are helping to spread some festive cheer for those spending the Christmas period in hospital.

The local community has come together to support Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity’s annual shoebox appeal, which aims to make sure all patients receive a gift to help brighten their day.

Hundreds of shoeboxes filled with useful gifts – including hats and gloves, chocolates, crossword puzzles and toiletries – have been delivered to Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford over the past month.

Surrey Street Rodders delivered an incredible 50 shoeboxes to the hospital on Friday (14 December). The custom and hot rod car club used money raised at its annual Good Friday charity event ‘Wheels Day’ to buy the gifts.

Andrew Carpenter, from Surrey Street Rodders, said:

“The Surrey Street Rodders have been supporting local good causes in Surrey and Hampshire since holding our very first car show in 1974. Since the Royal Surrey opened in 1981, we have always admired the great work they do for the community and we take great pleasure in supporting the hospital.Being ill and in hospital is hard for people and their families no matter what time of year, but Christmas makes it exceptionally hard, especially for those without families. This year’s appeal was the perfect opportunity to help the communities of Surrey and Hampshire and bring a little joy to people in their time of need; hopefully making their stay a little easier.”

“We have been blown away by the generous donations from people in Surrey. Everyone has put so much time and effort into making such beautiful gifts and we are so grateful for their support. Being in hospital at Christmas when others are spending time with family can be particularly tough – especially for those patients who don’t have family around. To know someone’s thinking of them can make a real difference.”

If you'd still like to donate a shoebox, it's not too late. We are accepting deliveries until Thursday 20 December.

Diane and Lisa are running the Great South Run on Sunday 21st October to raise money for Positive Touch to support the Special Care Babies and their families at the RSCH throughout their stay and beyond